Japan's Hideki Matsuyama fired a Sunday-best 5-under 65 to jump into a tie for fourth at the Tour Championship as Tiger Woods scratched out 71 to win his first event since 2013.

Matsuyama saved his best till last, capping the season-ending tournament with a six-birdie, one-bogey round that shot him up the leaderboard and left him the top-finishing foreign player, five shots behind Woods.

"A 5-under on the final day on this course is a good effort, I am happy with my play," said Matsuyama, who, with this result rose 14 places in the FedEx standings to finish the season in 13th.

The world No. 20 said he had a "stable" round, but rued the par-four 17th where a drive into the right rough left him unable to go for the green with his second shot. But after chipping out onto the fairway, he put his third to 12 feet and then canned the bogey putt.

"I am disappointed to have finished the season winless, it went by in a blink of an eye, but I put in a good effort in the playoffs," the Japanese said.

(Woods tees off on the fifth hole)

After rounds of 65, 68 and 65 in the tournament's first three days, Woods had to fight hard to hold on to the lead.

His 1-over round on Sunday at the East Lake Golf Club featured a lone birdie on the front nine and another after the turn, but he gave back three bogeys, including consecutive dropped shots on 15 and 16 that cut into his lead.

At 9-under, American Billy Horschel finished second, two shots behind Woods. Dustin Johnson locked in third, two shots back of Horschel.

"I just can't believe I pulled this off," said Woods, pausing as he fought back tears.

"It's been tough, you know, I have had a not so easy last couple of years and I have worked my way back. I could not have done it without the help of everyone around me."

(Woods is followed by a huge gallery after hitting his second shot on the 18th hole)

"Some of the players that I saw after, on the 18th green there, some knew what I was struggling with and it was really special to see them there."

"It's just hard to believe that I've won the Tour Championship."

Woods' win was the 80th of his PGA tour career and the first since he claimed the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational in 2013.

England's world No. 1 Justin Rose went backward on Sunday, shooting a 3-over 73 to finish tied with Matsuyama and Webb Simpson in fourth.

The result, however, was good enough to ensure Rose finished atop the FedEx Cup standings, his two wins and 11 top 10s allowing him to beat out a fast-finishing Woods who finished 41 points behind.

(Matsuyama makes his birdie putt on the 16th green)